The Forestry Conservation program provides an opportunity for volunteers to get involved in preserving the spectacular natural resources of Wang Nam Khiao area in the center of Thailand.

Depending on the current state of the area, your volunteer program can include field work such as planting trees, building pathways or fences as well as wildlife monitoring and clearing waterways. You will be supported both by our coordinator as well as the experienced national park rangers who will assist and look after you during your whole stay.

After nearly a decade of organizing camps and environmental projects, the volunteer organization decided to set up a base in 2007 near Wang Nam Khiao in the center of Thailand in order to provide a stronger focus to its environmental projects and to raise awareness for the situation of the environment in Thailand in general. The ecological centre strives to educate Thai people about the importance of saving natural resources and preserving biodiversity. Our Forestry Conservation program works closely with the nearby national forest park, the forest rangers of which will give you the opportunity to help conserve this beautiful location whilst enjoying nature. This is the perfect program for those who enjoy a challenge and have a keen interest in nature and outdoor activities.

Reisroute

Wang Nam Khiao - Forestry Conservation

Weekly Schedule & Activities

We’ll start with breakfast at Singburi Eco-House before departing for Khao Yai National Park, in particular Wang Nam Khiao, where your accommodation at Greenway Forest View Resort is situated. When meeting with the park rangers, you can discuss the ongoing tasks and duties in your program. These can include:

Wildlife spotting and research
Building pathways and fences around the forest areas for protection
Photography and monitoring
Planting trees
Planting native species in reserve forests
Prevention against forest fires
Activities aimed at fighting climate change and global warming
Environmental education and awareness
Recycling: "Clean Up the World" campaigns
Observation of wild gaurs and wild buffaloes
Making dam checks and waterway management

Monday
Your project starts with an introduction day on the first Monday including a tour of the area surrounding the accommodation, available facilities, cultural "do's and don'ts", safety concerns as well as some basic local language lessons. In the evening we'll have a short discussion about the week's schedule.

Tuesday to Thursday
Volunteer in forestry conservation together with the park rangers, explore a big local market one evening and sing karaoke at the resort on another.

Friday
Work in forestry conservation activities together with the park rangers in the morning, visit a mushroom farm and Pa Keep Tawan viewpoint in the afternoon. Brief weekly evaluation just before dinner.

Please note that the activities and schedule can change at any time based on local conditions, the weather and unforeseen circumstances.

Evenings & Weekends
During the evening the volunteers are generally free, no program activities are scheduled. Weekends are also always free at the Forestry Conservation program. You can relax at the Eco-House accommodation, or take a local taxi into town for some sightseeing and visit the many sites in the central provinces. Often volunteers like to go traveling and exploring the country independently on weekends, like taking a bus to Bangkok, just as long as they arrive back on Sunday to be ready for work on Monday morning. You can always ask our friendly staff for advice to make your choice easier.

Last Saturday
Breakfast at the resort. After breakfast transfer back to the Greenway Eco-house in Singburi or transfer to Bangkok.

Mandatory Volunteer Requirements

Minimum age of 18
Basic level of competency in English
Police clearance certificate on sign-up
There are no specific skills required, just a genuine interest to help and learn about ecological issues. An open mind and an ability to show initiative, these are the best attributes you can possess.

What Makes a Good Volunteer?

Volunteers need to be flexible and keep an open mind concerning their placements as situations can arise beyond our control which could require you to be placed at a different project than the one you have initially chosen. We will of course always do our utmost to fulfill your initial wishes but do remember that where you are going is quite different from where you are coming and as such one should be prepared for things not always going according to plan.

Volunteering and intercultural travel share a common trait: the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. This program is designed for proactive individuals and groups that are prepared to adapt to the local environment and its current needs. Naturally, the scheduling and activities of our program are subject to change. Alterations in activities are mainly due to changes in local conditions, which we believe is part of what makes overseas programs the interesting adventure and incredible learning experience that they are.

How Long Should I Volunteer?

Our volunteer partner in Thailand is based in Singburi. The focus is on experiencing a range of local cultural activities and traditions, as well as joining ongoing volunteer programs where you can give your time and energy for a few hours each day. The projects and activities we have chosen are interchangeable locally, as it is possible to make a positive contribution within a week. The exception to this is teaching where we believe it is most beneficial to yourself and the school if you commit to four weeks and construction, where we recommend a minimum stay of two weeks. In our experience the longer you stay the more you will gain, as your understanding of the project broadens and you take on more responsibilities. Every volunteer will be given a certificate of appreciation at the end of their stay as a symbol of volunteering stay.

Overzicht

Wat is inbegrepen?

Extra kosten tijdens tour

None

Accommodatie

Upon arrival in Singburi you will stay at the Twin House in dorm accommodation. Your final night of the project will also be spent in Singburi.

In Wang Nam Khiao your accommodation is in eco cottages. Set amidst rolling hills, the views here are spectacular and the location tranquil. The resort is situated about 15 km (30 minutes) from Wang Nam Khiao that is the nearest town, and where you will find all the amenities you might need. Accommodation is in dormitory-like rooms that are shared between 4 people on a single gender basis. All rooms have a private western style toilet/bathroom each with a shower with both hot and cold water. Rooms also come equipped with a powerful fan. The house has a communal area where you can eat, relax and meet your fellow volunteers. There is also WiFi available which covers most of the resort.

Lokaal vervoer

Arrival Information
We can pick you up from either Don Mueang Airport (DMK) or Bangkok International Airport (BKK) anytime on Saturday or Sunday. Saturday arrivals can stay at our accommodation in Singburi at no extra cost.

Our transfer coordinator, who meets you upon your arrival, arranges your transfer from the airport to Mo Chit Northern Bangkok bus station and then further on to Singburi bus station, where you will be met by one of our local coordinators who will take you to your accommodation.

How to Get to the Meeting Point at Bangkok International Airport (BKK):

After passing through customs, make sure you stay on the same floor and turn right and proceed to ENTRANCE 4. Our coordinator will be waiting for you inside the building in front of this entrance with a sign saying 'Green Lion'. Our coordinator will not move to find you, he has firm instructions to stay at ENTRANCE 4. You may need to wait for several participants to arrive before the group leaves the airport.

If you arrive before 16:00, we will transfer you to Singburi on the same day. Arrivals after 16:00 may have to stay in a hotel next to BKK/DMK Airport for one night. In this case, we still will pick you up at the airport and accompany you to the hotel. There is no extra cost for you. You will be given a time to meet back at the meeting point the following morning for transfer to Singburi.

We highly recommend buying a cheap local SIM card for your whole time in Thailand (for your own personal safety and for easier/cheaper communication with the other participants, staff and family back home). This becomes especially useful if travelling to your project destination by yourself. You can usually get one at the airport for free or at a low cost. You can also receive one at the accommodation on arrival for free.

Early/Late Arrival Instructions

By Taxi
A shuttle taxi hired at the airport can bring you straight to our center within 3 hours. It should not cost you more than 2000-3000 baht, but it is important to confirm the price beforehand. More expensive options (limousine service) can also be arranged from the airport at higher prices.

By Bus
When you arrive at Bangkok International airport (Suvarnabhumi International Airport), pronounced: su-wan-na-poom), you can continue your trip by BTS airport rail link. This is the easiest and cheapest way to travel to the bus station. The distance from Suvarnabhumi International Airport to Mo-Chit is around 40 km. You should take the rail link all the way to the end station at Phaya Thai which connects you to the BTS skytrain. Take the skytrain to Mo Chit station the last on the line. The station is about 3 km from the bus terminal. Once you get to Moh-Chit bus terminal, please enter the ground floor to the right and choose to buy a ticket for the first class bus ("1st class" in Thai: Bpau neung) to Singburi Bus Station.

Once the bus leaves the bus terminal, please call the program manager (Phil) on +66 (0) 86 001 2838 to confirm your arrival time and to allow us to have a coordinator ready to pick you up from the Singburi bus station when you arrive.

Maaltijden

Three meals a day on weekdays, and brunch and dinner on weekends are included. Water, coffee, tea are available at your accommodation. The meals will be typical Thai fare, including plenty of rice dishes. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions or intolerances during your application. However, we need to stress the point that you should not expect to eat as you normally do at home. We will do our best to see that you are well taken care of, but also as a volunteer, there is a need to be flexible and accommodating to the local food.

Houd er rekening mee

What to Bring
Insect repellent, mosquito net, good walking shoes, long trousers

Money
It is not possible to get cash in the nearby villages. The nearest ATM is in Wang Nam Khiao town, so please make sure you have enough money with you before leaving for the village. However, you will probably not need much money anyhow.